Brazil’s Undiscovered Photographers
Thomas Werner
Utopica Gallery, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Opening in 2007 Utopica Gallery and its founder Pablo DiGuilo were the first to introduce classic vintage photographs from the early 20th century to the Brazilian market. In doing so DiGuilo provided one of the first opportunities for these previously unheralded image makers to exhibit their work. Working primarily with Brazil’s undiscovered photographers. Primarily from the 1940’ and 1950’s. The gallery is a leader in ensuring the physical integrity, authenticity and proof of origin of the vintage prints it exhibits.
Working with researchers, scholars and academics the gallery has discovered a number of important artists. Including the members of one of the regions amateur photography clubs of the 1930’s, 40’, 50’s and 60’s. These photographers were creating at times seminal works for the viewing and conversational pleasure of those in the club. Together with a small group of friends and admirers. The imagery created by this group is finally being recognized by Brazil’s museums and collectors around the world.
The gallery represents the works of photographers. Wagner Almeida, Luiz Carlos Barreto, André Cunha, Alejandro Chaskielberg, Luiz Carlos Felizardo, Fernando Lemos, German Lorca, Juca Martins, Beth Moon, Carlos Moreira, Felipe Russo, Guillermo Srodek-Hart, Evandro Teixeira, Hiroshi Watanabe. Plus the estates of photographers Annemarie Heinrich and José Yalenti. In addition to these names, the gallery has in its collection works by over more than 30 photographers. Such as Heinz Hajek-Halke, Carlos Bippus, Jean Manzon, Guillermo Srodek-Hart, Rogério Reis and the Hermanos Vargas.
You can see a number of Utopica’s artists at Paris Photo and New York’s AIPAD art fair. As well as their gallery in Sao Paulo.
PHOTO CREDIT
Carlos Moreira Ramos de Azevedo Square, 1973 Vintage gelatin silver print 15 3/4 x 11 13/16 in
German Lorca Morandi, 1970 Vintage gelatin silver print from 1980s. 14 61/64 x 17 7/8 in
José Yalenti Untitled, c. 1950 Vintage gelatin silver print. 15 3/16 x 17 1/8 in
André Cunha Sanctuary Series, 2016/2017 Archival pigment print. Edition of 10, 22 7/16 x 14 15/16 in
Pablo Di Giulio, Founder and Director Marcella Brandimarti, Associate Director Paula Viecelli, Sales Associate/Registrar/Imaging Archivist/Artist Liaison
Rua Rodésia 26 São Paulo, SP 05435-020 Brazil
https://utopica.photography/ info@utopica.photography
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Thomas is the author of the books The Business of Fine Art Photography, Routledge, New York, The Fashion Image for Bloomsbury Publishing, London, and Twenty One Summers, co-authored with former Microsoft Search and AI team leader Derrick Connell. He is also an Editor at Large for IRKmagazine, a Paris based print publication and website, Board Member for the Santa Fe CENTER for Photographic Art, Founder of Chasing Beauty Publishing, and past Photography Program Director at Parsons School of Design in New York. He is the former owner of Thomas Werner Gallery in Manhattan’s Chelsea Art District, and a former National Board member and New York Chapter President for the American Society of Media Photographers. As well as a former Advisory Board Member for Ithaca College’s Executive Education Program, contributor to Adobe’s Lightroom Academy, and a photography consultant for COACH, among others. As an exhibiting artist Thomas was represented by galleries in New York and Los Angeles, and his work reviewed in The New Yorker Magazine.
Werner led a team developing a media and literacy website for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations/UNESCO and was a recurring instructor for the United Nations Education First Summer School. From 2005 – 2019 he worked with the United States Department of State on cultural projects in Russia partnering with 32 cultural, educational, and governmental organizations to develop projects in 29 cities. Partners have included; The State Hermitage Museum, the National Center of Contemporary Art, Perm Regional Government, The Moscow Biennale for Young Art, National Centre of Photography for the Russian Federation, The Central State Archive of Film, Photographic and Phonographic Documents, The Moscow Biennale, and others. His private collection of Russian photographs and artifacts have been exhibited internationally.
Currently a creative consultant, Thomas works one on one and in workshop settings with students, creatives, businesses, cultural institutions, and not for profits, helping them with personal goals, career development, career transition, team management, innovation, education, and the development of effective communication across multiple media platforms.
Thomaswernerprojects.com
@Thomaswernerprojects IG
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